Towing Rig...HELP!!!

[Bullet]

tow rating are crap---sure you dont want to over work a vehicle all the time but here and there to the lake is not going to over work anything---

only drawback to a smaller vehicle is the shorter wheel base does not give you the stability and comfort when pulling at higher speeds---

any of the above vehicles work fine---i dont see the benefit of a smaller suv for fuel when they only get 4-5 mpg better than some regular size trucks and suvs----

i towed my boat to austin and back 2 weeks ago and got 12.5 with my wifes tahoe--i would never want a cherokee over a tahoe in that case---my new z71 does abou the same with it, but no tv for kids to watch so we opted for the tahoe

im guessing with the larger vehicle sales in a slump you can save enough money on the front end to compensate for the fuel difference---

just my 2cents---

[chris196]

Heck, for the price of an X5, get a bare bones F150 (they've got some good deals on those now).
And get a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris or Ford Focus.
Then you've got 35mpg when driving the small car and a capable tow vehicle.

I tow a 98 ski with a 96 toyota tacoma v6. it's rated for 5000#. It certainly doesn't go anywhere fast, but it gets the job done and I feel comfortable with it.
If you really only want one vehicle, I would think the current 4runner with either the V6 (more powerful than mine by a good bit) or the V8 would do the job.
I would not get an X5 as a tow vehicle. Too short of a wheel base in combination with high center of gravity.

[wakecrashin]

well guys im not a good example..

I pull my 07' 210 with my 2003 Land Rover Discovery that has a tow rating of about 5500# and a short wheel base. It is equipped with a whopping 215HP V8. Belive it or not i have taken it on 5-6 hrs trips no prob pulling the boat. One time I ended up on Blue Ridge Parkway at midnight by accident pulling the boat and made it up and down with no problems. If you know what BRP is, you'd understand.

[BSBell]

Good idea chris

You can get a 4 door 4x4 5.4L f150 used for well under $20,000 now these days and can tow 9,200lbs.

[AuMDLST]

Chevy Suburban - Pulls all day long and most everyone can ride with.

[gatorgates]

If you don't want the height and width of a suburban, but still want something with some snort and some mass, try an extended Trailblazer. The straight six "farmer engine" pulls strong, especially low end, and the wheelbase is long enough to spread the load. Gas mileage is not great, but better than a Suburban.

[Kurpski]

We have an 05 4Runner w/ V8 and factory tow package that we used to tow our SN196, it towed no problem (could hardly tell it was there, even towing through PA/MD mountains).

When we upgraded to a SA220, I was concerned how the 4Runner would handle it. V8 4Runner tow capacity is around 7K, I figure boat, tandem axle trailer, gas and gear are weighing in around 5500-6000#.

We have only towed it once so far, approx. 150 mile trip bringing home from the dealer, 4Runner towed with the boat with no issues. We only tow a couple times a year so I think it will work good for us. If we towed everytime or for long distances regularly, I would consider upgrading to a full size SUV.

One note, the pre 08 sequoia's have a lower tow capacity (6700#) than the V8 4Runner. I believe they use the same engine/transmission, and since the Sequoia is larger/heavier vehicle, you loose a couple hundred pounds tow capacity. The other side of that coin is, it is a bigger/heavier vehicle and probably less effected by boat weight than the 4Runner.

Nice thing about 4Runner, it is a mid size SUV and as someone pointed out earlier, it gets 21mpg on the highway/12-15 around town (not towing).

[borosan]

Tow Rig

I pulled my boat with my dad's 2500 Chevy truck and didn't have a problem. I haven't pulled it behind my Tahoe yet....so I guess the Tahoe shouldn't have a problem?

[MNSuperAir]

A jeep with a v-8 sucks gas, get anything but a vehicle with a dodge motor in it, they suck the gas.

My brothers v8 grand cherokee got 13mpg in the city at best (not towing)

I agree, was just looking at them for the wife, not only did it get poor mileage but the trans felt like a rubber band. Not crisp at all.

Ended up going with the VW Touareg with the V8. Haven't towed the boat with it yet but plan on it. My other tow vehicle is a Dodge 2500 Diesel, but you don't need that. Have a friend that tows his with a LR3 Rover and it does great, don't be afraid of the Euro SUV's, just get the V8 and you'll be fine.

[mf01]

A jeep with a v-8 sucks gas, get anything but a vehicle with a dodge motor in it, they suck the gas.

My brothers v8 grand cherokee got 13mpg in the city at best (not towing)

Sounds like he has a heavy foot. I've got a 2002 Ram with the 4.7l and get above 15 MPG in the city.

[qstufflebeam]

I had a 2003 toyota 4 runner V8 and towed a sncb with a tandem axel trailer. It towed great. I usually towed at highway speeds of 75-80. MPG would average 9-11 mpg depending on wind or grade. The vehicle had decent mileage for a V8, 15-16 city and 20-21 highway. If you will be towing distance beyond 60-80 miles often I would opt for a larger vehicle made for towing. I think you could easily find a used 03 for 18K-22K. I never had any problems with mine. the only reason I moved to a 08 Tundra was because my 4runner was totaled.

[bkhallpass]

I was thinking, I've never even ridden in an Avalanche, but I've read a number of posts by folks who swear by them as tow vehicles and as daily drivers. BKH

[BSBell]

A jeep with a v-8 sucks gas, get anything but a vehicle with a dodge motor in it, they suck the gas.

My brothers v8 grand cherokee got 13mpg in the city at best (not towing)

Sounds like he has a heavy foot. I've got a 2002 Ram with the 4.7l and get above 15 MPG in the city.

The best I could get out of it "driving worse than granny" was 13.4mpg

My 4 door 4x4 f150 gets 15mpg city so I just prefer it.

[BSBell]

I was thinking, I've never even ridden in an Avalanche, but I've read a number of posts by folks who swear by them as tow vehicles and as daily drivers. BKH

Well if you like a truck that is half plastic, then go for it! :razz:

[jjackkrash]

My opinion: the beemer is a sweet car--key word car--but its not in the same class of tow vehicle as the truck-based 4-runner. Get an 05 or newer v-8 4-runner and you are good to go.